I have a 1997 Blazer 4x4 with high mileage (170000+) but it had been running fine for the year plus I have owned it. I drove it about 5 miles to pick something up with no problems, when I went to start it again it had trouble starting and the speedometer went crazy for a few seconds until I let off the ignition. Tried it again and the engine was shaking much more than normal, drove it about a tenth of a mile then decided to go back and leave it there.

When I put it in reverse the engine died and I had to start it up again, I went about 15 mph back to where I was and parked it.. Let it sit for about 90 minutes and checked the oil and transmission fluid, which are fine. Started it up and it was still shaking, let it idle for about 5 minutes then tried applying some gas, which eased the shaking, but then after about 2 minutes the check engine light started flashing at me

Let it sit some more, then tried it again and it seemed to start up fine, but after about 20 seconds of idling it went back to shaking again

Does anyone know what it may be? I'm afraid it's a piston or bearing and I need a new engine, I don't have the money to afford that..

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

The shaking compares to when I had a Mitsubishi Galant back in high school, the engine mounts broke and it shook violently.. However I don't see how the engine mounts could break while the car is just sitting there, when it was completely fine only 5 minutes before